How lime juice can lead to severe burns — and what to do about it

The otherwise harmless green fruit can lead to chemical burns when its juice reacts with sunlight on your skin, a condition called phytophotodermatitis. Limes are the most common culprit, but it can also be caused by carrots, parsnips, parsley, celery, figs, wild dill, lemons and bergamot oranges.

"Patients come in quite concerned when they have a rash like this," explained Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital. "It raises a lot of panic."

Symptoms don't appear until a few days after exposure, making phytophotodermatitis a very sneaky summer-ruiner. They range from mild redness to blisters and second-degree burns, depending on how long you're in the sun and how much of the juice gets on your skin.

Although the brown patches can be itchy, they will disappear on their own within a few weeks to months. In the meantime, they can be lightened with hydroquinone, said Dr. Carolyn Jacob, director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

Still, if the idea of chemical burns has you swearing off beachside margaritas forever, don't worry: lime burn can be prevented by immediately washing off residue with soap and water or cleansing towelettes.

The condition used to be called "berloque dermatitis" because women developed it from wearing perfume on their necks, Jacob explained. These days, it's more often observed among those returning from vacation.

"This happens more around spring break for us," Jacob said of her practice.